CN110382940B

CN110382940B - Connection adapter

Info

Publication number: CN110382940B
Application number: CN201780066066.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·海因里希; A·克普
Original assignee: Carl Kurt Walther & CoKg GmbH; AVL Ditest Austria GmbH
Current assignee: Carl Kurt Walther & CoKg GmbH; AVL Ditest Austria GmbH
Priority date: 2016-09-16
Filing date: 2017-09-15
Publication date: 2021-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-15
Also published as: US20190226617A1; US11067209B2; CN110382940A; EP3513111A1; AT519159A1; WO2018050823A9; AT519159B1; WO2018050823A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection adapter (1) for establishing a detachable fluid connection between a first fluid system (37) and a second fluid system (38). The connection adapter (1) has a switching valve (4) which can be actuated by means of an actuating element (5) in order to selectively release and close a fluid connection between a pressure space (12) arranged in the connection adapter (1) and a valve space (31) arranged in the connection adapter (1). From the valve space (31), a ventilation path (40) leads out of the connection adapter (11), the ventilation path (40) being closable and openable by means of a ventilation closure (2). A fluid connection can be established from the pressure space (12) to the first fluid system (37) via the connection unit (15). The valve space (31) is in fluid connection with a quick-action closure bushing (23) for connecting a connecting element (35) of a second fluid system (38), and the connection adapter (1) has a locking mechanism (39) for the quick-action closure bushing (23). When the ventilation closing portion (2) closes the ventilation path (40), the locking mechanism (39) is restricted to the locking position.

Description

Connection adapter

Technical Field

The invention relates to a connection adapter for establishing a releasable fluid connection between a first fluid system and a second fluid system, in particular for establishing a releasable fluid connection between a fluid system of an air conditioning system and a fluid system of an air conditioning service unit, having a switching valve which can be actuated by means of an actuating element in order to selectively release and close a fluid connection between a pressure space arranged in a housing of the connection adapter and a valve space arranged in the housing, wherein a vent path leads out of the connection adapter from the valve space, which vent path can be closed and opened by a vent closure, wherein a fluid connection can be established from the pressure space to the first fluid system via a connection unit, wherein the valve space is in fluid connection with a quick-action closure bushing for connecting the connecting element of the second fluid system, and wherein the connection adapter has a locking mechanism for rapidly closing the bushing.

Background

Connection adapters are used, for example, to establish a reliable and releasable connection between two fluid systems. This is required, for example, for filling air conditioning systems, in particular motor vehicle air conditioning systems, or for connecting them to air conditioning maintenance appliances or coolant reservoirs for performing air conditioning maintenance. Previous air conditioning systems for filling/emptying air conditioning systems, in particular in the automobile industry (air conditioning systems using CO)₂Used as a coolant) are based on existing solutions for other coolants and fail to provide high sealing requirements at the same time as long service life/operating cycles.

Especially when CO is introduced₂When used as a coolant, the previous solutions also fail to provide the durability of the sealing system while providing high sealing in operation under pressure. Or require a second energy source for operation or use of a mechanically vulnerable sealing system. The reason for this is mainly in the sealing systems or sealing assemblies used for the ventilation function.

DE 102009012267 a1 discloses a two-position, three-way valve which can be switched via two butterfly valves for connecting a service device to an air conditioning system. The two butterfly valves are adjusted via a common control piston, wherein one butterfly valve forms a main valve which connects or disconnects the fluid systems of the service device and of the air conditioning system to one another, and the other butterfly valve is used for ventilation.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the invention is: a connection adapter is provided which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, is simple and reliable in application and has a high stability.

According to the invention, the above and further objects are achieved by a connection adapter of the type mentioned at the outset in which the locking mechanism is limited to a locking position when the ventilation lock closes the ventilation path. Thereby avoiding malfunction and improving the reliability of the connection adapter.

In an advantageous manner, the actuating element can be designed as a rotary knob which can be screwed into a threaded bore of the housing for actuating the switching valve. This allows intuitive, simple and reliable handling in the case of a compact design.

In an advantageous embodiment, the actuating element can be supported on the valve head of the switching valve during the screwing-in process after the ventilation lock closes the ventilation path. This ensures that it is not possible to open the main valve prematurely, i.e. with the vent path still open.

In an advantageous manner, the actuating element can have a stop which latches the locking mechanism in the locking position when the ventilation lock closes the ventilation path. This constitutes a structurally simple and efficient measure in order to limit the locking mechanism according to the invention.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the ventilation lock can be of sleeve-like design and can be arranged on the housing so as to be movable along the valve axis. This allows a structurally simple implementation with a minimum of movable components.

Preferably, a sealing element can be provided on the housing, on which the ventilation closure engages in a sealing manner when the ventilation path is closed. In this case, simple, cost-effective and long-life sealing elements, for example O-rings, can be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the actuating element can be connected rotatably to the ventilation lock. In this way, the ventilation lock can be moved in the axial direction only in a translatory manner together with the actuating element, without being coupled to the rotary movement of the actuating element. Furthermore, the reliable range of movement of the actuating element can be limited simply via the ventilation lock.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to fig. 1 to 3, which show an advantageous embodiment of the invention by way of example, schematically and without limitation. In this case, the amount of the solvent to be used,

figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a connection adapter according to the invention in a first position,

FIG. 2 shows the connection adapter of FIG. 1 in a second position, an

Fig. 3 shows the connection adapter of fig. 1 in a third position.

Detailed Description

The connection adapter 11 according to the invention has a housing 3 which comprises a pressure space 12. The pressure space 12 is essentially designed as a central recess or bore extending along the valve axis 13, in which recess or bore the switching valve 4 is displaceably arranged along the valve axis 13. The inlet line 14 opens into the pressure space 12 transversely to the valve axis. A connection unit 15 is provided on the input line, via which the connection adapter 11 is connected, for example via a line, to a service device or a reservoir for coolant. Fig. 1 schematically shows a first fluid system 37, to which an input line or a connection unit is connected.

The switching valve 4 has a closure element 7 on one side, which seals off the pressure space 12 on a conical valve surface 16 in the closed position of the switching valve 4 (fig. 1 and 2). On the side of the pressure space 12 axially opposite the valve face 16, the pressure space 12 is delimited by a positively widened diameter of the switching valve 4 and is sealed by a corresponding sealing unit 17. The end of the switching valve 4 axially opposite the closing element 7 has a substantially mushroom-shaped valve head 18, on which a valve spring 19 is seated, which presses the switching valve 4 into the closed position.

The housing 3 has an axial threaded bore 20 on the side of the valve spring 19 and the valve head 18, into which the actuating element 5, which is designed as a twist grip, can be screwed in and out by means of an adjusting thread 21. By screwing in the actuating element 5, it bears against the valve head 18 (fig. 2) and presses the valve head 18 further and thus the entire switching valve 4 is moved into the open position (as it is shown in fig. 3) against the force of the valve spring.

A part of the housing 3 is formed as a connecting sleeve 22 on the side of the valve face 16, wherein the connecting sleeve 22 has a quick-action closure bush 23 with which the connection adapter 11 can be connected to a correspondingly formed connecting element 35 (shown schematically in fig. 2 and 3), for example a service interface of a motor vehicle air conditioning system. For this purpose, locking balls 25 are inserted in a known manner into radial bores 24 which lead into the connecting sleeve 22 in the region of the quick-action closure bush 23 and are pressed by the locking sleeve 1 pushed onto the connecting sleeve 22 into the radial bores 23 (formed so as to be constricted towards the inner wall of the connecting sleeve 22) in such a way that they project into the quick-action closure bush 23, wherein said locking balls either fix a connecting element 35 inserted therein or prevent the insertion of such a connecting element 35 into the quick-action closure bush 23. The spring-loaded locking sleeve 1 and the locking ball 25 inserted into the bore 23 thus form a locking mechanism 39 for the quick-closing of the bushing 23.

For connecting and removing the connecting element 35, the locking sleeve 1 is retracted slidingly on the connecting sleeve 22 against the pressure of the tensioning spring 26 until the widened region 33 of the locking sleeve 1 rests on the latching balls 25, and these latching balls can "shift" into the widened region 33 and thereby effect the insertion and removal of the connecting element. The connecting sleeve 22 can be formed in one piece or in several pieces and can be detachably or fixedly connected to other parts of the housing 3. If necessary, the housing 3 can also be formed in one piece, if this is possible as a result of manufacturing.

In order to seal the connecting element 35 embedded in the quick-action closure sleeve 23, a connecting seal 8 is provided in the quick-action closure sleeve 23. The closing part 7 of the switching valve 4 has, on its side facing away from the pressure space, a valve bolt 27 projecting axially toward the quick-closing bush 23, the end of which projects into the region of the quick-closing bush 23. The valve bolt 27 serves to press the valve body of a locking valve 36, which is optionally arranged in the connecting element 35, when the connecting element 35 is inserted into the quick-action closure sleeve 23 and a fluid connection is established. The valve bolt 27 is preferably dimensioned such that it opens the closing valve 36 in the connecting element 35 only when the switching valve 4 is also open and the valve bolt 27 is moved axially together with the closing part 7 in the opening direction, i.e. towards the quick-action closing sleeve 23 (see fig. 2 and 3).

In the region between the quick-action closure sleeve 23 (or the end of the connecting element inserted therein) and the closure part 7 resting against the valve face 16 (the volume in this region is referred to below as the valve space 31), a number of ventilation channels 28 are arranged radially in the connecting sleeve 22, via which ventilation channels the residual pressure present in this region must be discharged before the connecting element 35 is removed from the quick-action closure sleeve 23. Especially for CO₂In the case of high pressures of about 150bar, which are required for air conditioning systems, there is a significant safety risk that the connecting element 35 can open when there is still residual pressure, since the pressure then leaks out uncontrollably and suddenly.

In order to seal the vent channel 28 for "normal" valve operation, a sleeve-like vent closure 2 is movably arranged on the housing. The ventilation lock 2 has a guide slot 30, into which a guide element 9 provided on the housing 3 engages, which fixes the ventilation lock 2 against twisting. The guide element 9 may also project beyond the outer wall of the ventilation lock 2 and engage in a corresponding groove in the locking sleeve 1, so that the locking sleeve is also secured against twisting. When the vent closure 2 is moved toward the quick-closing sleeve 23, it first covers the outer opening of the vent channel 28 and then engages with a sealing element 6 (if appropriate a plurality of sealing elements can also be provided) which is arranged on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve 22 or in a corresponding sealing groove provided in the connecting sleeve. The vent lock 2 thus seals the vent channel 28 in a pressure-tight manner, as long as the vent lock 2 is moved far enough toward the quick-action closure sleeve 23 (fig. 2 and 3). The sealing element 6, which is arranged on the side of the quick-action closure sleeve 23 with respect to the ventilation channel 28, is arranged in a sealing groove, which is formed by a retaining element 10 that can be screwed onto the connecting sleeve 22. This facilitates the exchange of such sealing elements 6, which are heavily loaded due to the frequently alternating engagement with the ventilation lock 2.

The locking sleeve 1 has a ventilation opening 29, via which the space inside the locking sleeve 1 can be ventilated. Since the ventilation channel 28 also opens into this space when the ventilation lock 2 is in its pushed-back position (fig. 1), the valve space 31 can be ventilated by pushing back the ventilation lock 2 via the ventilation channel 28 and the ventilation opening 29. (for purposes of the present invention, the axial direction pointing away from the quick close bushing 23 is referred to as the "back" direction).

At the end behind the ventilation lock, that is to say at a distance from the quick-action closure bushing 23, the ventilation lock 2 is rotatably connected to the actuating element 5 via a ball bearing 32, the ball bearing 32 allowing a rotational movement of the actuating element 5 relative to the ventilation lock 2. As a result, the ventilation lock 2 moves in the axial direction together with the actuating element 5, without rotating together with the actuating element. As a result, not only can the actuation of the closure part 7 (i.e. the main valve of the connection adapter) be carried out, but also the actuation of the valve bolt 27 which opens the blocking valve 36 of the connecting element 35, and the displacement of the vent closure 2 can be carried out with a single actuating element 5. At the same time, the maximum possible "offset movement" of the actuating element 5 is limited by the guide slot 30 and the guide element 9.

The use of the connection adapter 11 is explained below by way of example with reference to fig. 1 to 3. The initial position shown in fig. 1 shows the connection adapter 11 in the inactive position, in which the closure member 7 keeps the main valve closed, released through the vent path 40 defined by the vent channel 28 and the vent hole 29, and in which the valve bolt 27 projects freely into the region of the quick-closure bush 23 in which the connecting element 35 is not yet present. The connection adapter 11 is connected via the connection unit 15 to a first fluid system 37, for example an air conditioning system, with which old coolant in the motor vehicle air conditioning system is conducted away, the air conditioning system can be evacuated and can be filled with fresh coolant and lubricant.

In order to establish a connection to a second fluid system 38 (which includes, for example, a circuit of a motor vehicle air conditioning system) via the quick-action closure bush 23, a connecting element 35 (fig. 2) which cooperates with the quick-action closure bush 23 is provided for the second fluid system 38.

In order to establish a connection between the first fluid system 37 and the second fluid system 38 (for example for air-conditioning maintenance or also for the first filling of the air-conditioning system), the connecting element 35 is inserted into the quick-action closure bush 23 of the connection adapter 11, wherein for this purpose the locking sleeve 1 sliding on the ventilation closure 2 must be retracted to such an extent that the widened region 33 of the locking sleeve 1 releases the locking ball 25 to such an extent that the connecting element 35 can be completely inserted into the quick-action closure bush 23, that is to say until the locking mechanism 39 is opened. In this case, the connecting element 35 is sealed by the connecting seal 8, whereas the valve bolt 27 is in a position in which the blocking valve 36 in the connecting element 35 is still not open. This connection process can only be carried out when the actuating element 5 is in the maximally pivoted-out position, since otherwise the locking sleeve 1 would rest with its rear end against a stop 34 provided on the actuating element before the locking ball 25 is released. This simultaneously ensures that the ventilation lock 2 is also in the retracted position, in which the ventilation channel 28 is open and the ventilation path 40 is released.

In order to establish a fluid connection between the first fluid system 37 and the second fluid system 38, the actuating element 5 is now rotated and screwed, wherein firstly only the vent closure moves together with the actuating element 5 and closes the vent channel 28, so that the valve space 31 is now closed in a gas-tight manner. This position is shown in fig. 2. It is to be noted that in this position, although the main valve and also the blocking valve 36 are still closed, the blocking portion of the quick-closing bush 23 can no longer be disengaged, since the locking sleeve 1 rests on the stop 34 before the blocking ball 25 is released. In the position shown in fig. 2, it is also shown that the actuating element 5 is already in contact with the valve head 18, and that further screwing in of the actuating element 5 moves the switching valve 4 and thus the closure part 7 and the valve bolt 25 toward the quick-closure bushing 23 and first opens the main valve, i.e. a fluid connection is provided between the pressure space 12 and the valve space 31. Further, the valve bolt 27 then bears on the latching valve 36 and opens it, so that a fluid connection is now also provided between the valve space 31 and the second fluid system 38. This position is shown in fig. 3. It is to be noted that the stop 34 of the actuating element 5 now rests or almost rests on the rear end of the locking sleeve 1, so that a displacement of the locking sleeve 1 is substantially no longer possible. Thereby, a stable connection is provided and different tapping, evacuation or filling processes can now be performed via the connection adapter.

In order to be able to disconnect the connection between the connecting element 35 and the connection adapter 11 again after this, the procedure described above is carried out in the reverse direction, wherein the actuating element 5 is screwed out of the threaded hole 20 of the housing 3. Here, the blocking valve 36 is first closed and the valve bolt 27 is disengaged from the blocking valve 36. After this, the closure element 7 bears against the valve face 16, so that the main valve is also closed (this again corresponds to the position shown in fig. 2). It is now noted that there is a residual pressure in the valve space 31, since the vent channel 28 is still closed by the vent closure 2. The position of the stop 34 ensures that the unlocking of the quick-action closure sleeve cannot be achieved in this position. Only when the actuating element 5 is screwed out to a sufficient extent (i.e. into the position shown in fig. 1) and the valve space 31 is ventilated via the ventilation channel 28 and the ventilation aperture 29 which are now open from now on (which form the ventilation path 40) can the locking sleeve 1 be retracted to a sufficient extent in order to release the locking ball 25 and thus disengage the locking mechanism 39. The connecting element 35 can now also be pulled out of the quick-action closure sleeve 23, and the connection adapter 11 is again in the initial position shown in fig. 1.

The above description merely shows by way of example preferred embodiments of the invention, but it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention can also be implemented in other ways. For example, it is not necessary to connect the connection adapter to a maintenance device and to connect it to a connection element of an air conditioning system via the quick-action closure sleeve 23, but rather the connection adapter 11 can also form part of the air conditioning system. In this case, only the connecting element is required for the air conditioning service device, which connecting element is plugged in by means of a connecting adapter of the air conditioning system. In general, the connection adapter according to the invention can be used advantageously as a valve for different applications in which two fluid systems are to be connected to one another.

List of reference numerals

Locking sleeve 1

Ventilation lock 2

Case 3

Switching valve 4

Actuating element 5

Sealing element 6

Closure member 7

Connecting seal 8

Guide element 9

Holder 10

Connection adapter 11

Pressure space 12

Valve axis 13

Input line 14

Connection unit 15

Valve face 16

Sealing unit 17

Valve head 18

Valve spring 19

Threaded hole 20

Adjusting screw 21

Connecting sleeve 22

Quick-closing bush 23

Radial bore 24

Locking ball 25

Tension spring 26

Valve plug 27

Ventilation channel 28

Vent 29

Guide slot 30

Valve space 31

Ball bearing 32

Widened region 33

Stop 34

Connecting element 35

Holding valve 36

First fluid system 37

Second fluid system 38

Locking mechanism 39

Ventilation path 40

Claims

1. A connection adapter (11) for establishing a detachable fluid connection between a first fluid system (37) and a second fluid system (38),

wherein the connection adapter (11) has a switching valve (4) which can be actuated via an actuating element (5) in order to selectively release and close a fluid connection between a pressure space (12) provided in a housing (3) of the connection adapter (11) and a valve space (31) provided in the housing (3),

wherein the actuating element (5) is designed as a rotary handle which can be screwed into a threaded bore (20) of the housing (3) for actuating the switching valve,

wherein, from the valve space (31), a ventilation path (40) leads out of the connection adapter (11), the ventilation path (40) being closable and openable by means of a ventilation closure (2),

wherein a fluid connection from the pressure space (12) to the first fluid system (37) can be established via a connection unit (15),

wherein the valve space (31) is in fluid connection with a quick-action closure bushing (23) for connecting a connecting element (35) of the second fluid system (38), and

the connection adapter (11) has a locking mechanism (39) for the quick-closure bushing (23),

wherein the locking mechanism (39) is limited in a locked position when the ventilation closure (2) closes the ventilation path (40), characterized in that the ventilation closure (2) is moved axially together with the actuating element (5) when the actuating element (5) is actuated, the actuating element (5) being able to bear on the valve head (18) of the switching valve (4) when screwed in after the ventilation closure (2) closes the ventilation path (40), wherein a fluid connection between the pressure space (12) and the valve space (31) can be opened by a further movement of the actuating element (5) towards the quick-closing bush (23) by a movement of the closure part (7) of the switching valve (4) and the valve bolt (27) towards the quick-closing bush (23).

2. The connection adapter (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure part (7) has, on its side facing away from the pressure space (12), the valve pin (27) which projects axially towards the quick-closure bushing (23), the end of which valve pin projects up into the region of the quick-closure bushing (23).

3. The connection adapter (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating element (5) has a stop (34) which latches the locking mechanism (39) in a locked position when a ventilation closure (2) closes the ventilation path (40).

4. The connection adapter (11) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilation closure (2) is sleeve-shaped and is arranged on the housing (3) so as to be movable along a valve axis (13).

5. The connection adapter (11) according to claim 4, characterized in that a sealing element (6) is provided on the housing (3), on which the ventilation closure (2) sealingly engages when the ventilation path (40) is closed.

6. The connection adapter (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element (5) is rotatably connected to the ventilation lock (2).